Michael Edwards keen on duo Denis Zakaria and Marcus Thuram
According to the Express, Liverpool Sporting Director Michael Edwards is keen on bringing impressive Borussia Monchengladbach duo Denis Zakaria and Marcus Thuram.
The duo has impressed for the Die Borussen in what has been an impressive season so far. Gladbach are currently fourth in the table and are on course for Champions League qualification. With them being just two points off the second spot, a good run of results could see them soar up the table that they led at one point this season.
Both Zakaria and Thuram has started almost every game in the Bundesliga and have been in the thick of things as some of Gladbach’s best performers. The Reds appear to have made the Bundesliga their choice of league to raid this season.
The next Toni Kroos?
The 23-year-old Zakaria has proved to be a hit in Germany since joining from Young Boys in 2017. Zakaria has two goals and two assists in 31 appearances so far this season.
Primarily a defensive midfielder, he can also play in central midfield and in central defence. A towering presence at 6’3″, he has been compared to Toni Kroos by German legend Lothar Matthaus. Zakaria has two years left on his current contract and has done a good job replacing Mahmoud Dahoud, who joined Dortmund. He has gone on to make 96 appearances for Gladbach and has scored eight goals and six assists.
Potentially world-class, his performances have also drawn attention from Manchester United and Arsenal. It is difficult to see Zakaria replace a prime Fabinho in the starting XI, but he will, at the very least, provide strength in depth.
A dependable backup?
Liverpool’s vaunted front three scores most of the team’s goals. They have struggled with both form and fitness at times this season. The lack of a dependable backup puts more pressure on the trio to perform every game while also risking burnout.
Enter Thuram. The 22-year-old Frenchman is a versatile forward capable of playing anywhere along the frontline. In only his first season in Germany, he has established himself as a regular for Gladbach.
The impressive youngster has scored 10 goals and nine assists in 31 appearances so far. Not bad at all for someone playing in a foreign league for the first time.
The Reds could lose out on as many as three stars midway into the season if the Africa Cup of Nations goes ahead as scheduled next year. Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita are all in the fray. The former duo’s absence could be catastrophic considering they are the team’s prolific scorers. Signing an able backup will hence be an utmost priority for Klopp.
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Both Thuram and Zakaria are young dynamic players with plenty of promise. They have showcased that they have the potential to be world-class if given time and training. Although the duo could cost around £88million, the sum could seem trivial if they turn out as expected. Just as most of Edwards’ other signings have.
